Means for correcting ingrown toenails



Jan. 12, 1960 R. F. FETTIG MEANS FOR CORRECTING INGROWN TOENAILS Filed Aug. 6, 1958 INVENTOR- ROBRTE FfTT/G BY United States Patentc) 2,920,621 MEANS FOR CORRECTING INGROWN TOENAILS Robert F. Fettig, Romeo, Mich.

Application August 6, 1958, Serial No. 753,577

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-81) This invention relates to the correction of ingrown toenails and has particular reference to a novel means and method for correcting such a condition.

I am aware of the fact that others have given attention to the correction of ingrowing toenails, and have suggested various means for making such corrections. The means heretofore known to the public have not met with wide acceptance, and certain of the means heretofore known to the public, when used as directed, actually aggravated the condition, rather than correcting it.

a For example, certain means heretofore proposed for correcting ingrown toenails embodied the use of hooks, positioned at either end of an adjustable metal strap. Such a device, when applied to the opposite edges of the ingrowing toenail, and adjusted and shortenedlengthwise,

would actually cause the toenail to arch in the'center,

and create increased pressure on both sides of the nail, or when pressure was exerted on the toe, the toe would tend to flatten out, again exerting pressure on the opposite edges of the ingrowing nail, causing considerable discomfort. Such a device necessitates the wearer staying off his feet while the device is in operation.

Another device, now known to the public, employed a metallic strap having a hook at the end, which hook is placed under the ingrowing edge of the toenail, and

y then the strap is bent outwardly, using the flesh of the toe, adjacent the toenail, as the fulcrum for the leverage. The use of such an instrument is objectionable for the reason that the fulcrum is flexible, because the flesh of the toe will give way under pressure. Such a device is further objectionable because it tends to irritate the flesh of the toe adjacent the nail. Such a device also creates a discomforting pressure on the edge of the toenail when the wearer stands on his feet, therefore the use of such a device also necessitates the wearer staying off his feet, while wearing this corrective device.

I have discovered, that in order for the wearer to use a corrective device, while standing on his feet, it is neces sary that one end of the metal strap be free to move horizontally, as well as vertically with respect to the nail of the toe.

I have also found, that as the toenail grows in length, with respect to the toe, it becomes necessary to make frequent adjustments of the corrective device.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to obviate the foregoing difliculties and to provide a method and means for correcting an ingrowing toenail, which may be used while the wearer is oif his feet as well as on his feet.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent, as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawing forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a large toe, having an ingrowing nail, on which the invention is practiced, but before the adhesive tape is applied.

2,920,621 Patented Jan. 12, 1960 Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and after the tape has been applied.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the metal straps used with my invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective detail, illustrating the nylon guide and protector, used with my inventiom Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 7 indicates a large toe, having a nail 8, which is ingrown along the edge 9. In order to correct the ingrowing condition, I provide a nylon channel 10 (Figs. 2 and 4), which is preferably pre-formed of nylon stock, having an approximate thickness of .006 of an inch. This nylon channel 10, when inserted under the edge of the nail, serves as an abutment for the hook portion 11, of the metal strap 12, (Figs. 2 and 3). The nylon channel 10 also serves as a guide for the nail 8, as it grows outwardly toward the front of the toe. Because of the upward pressure exerted on the guide 10 when weight is placed on the toe, it has a tendency to also correct the ingrowing condition of the nail, and also obviates the necessity for making frequent adjustments of the corrective device.

As indicated above, I have found that it is necessary that the free end of the metal strap 12., be able to move horizontally and vertically, when pressure is exerted on the flesh of the toe, by standing on it and the like. When the flesh .of the toe is subjected to the weight of the body, the flesh of the toe tends to flatten and expand outwardly and, as previously indicated, this creates an uncomfortable pressure on the edges of the toenail, if hooks are extended around both edges simultaneously, or if the free end of the metal strap is held against displacement. In practicing my invention, I propose to use comparatively thin metal shim stock, varying in thickness from .004 to .008 of an inch. For example, the nails of a woman are usually thinner than the nails of a man, therefore, must be corrected with a thinner metal strap. The strap 12 preferably should be made of a noncorrosive metal, such as stainless steel, and should be formed with a hook 11, at one end, and have a longitudinal curve such as shown in Fig. 3. The metal strap 12 after being hooked beneath the ingrowing edge of the nail, is extended across a substantial portion of the width of the toenail, and then is taped into position by means of adhesive tape 13, as shown in Fig. 2. The tape 13 exerts a downward pressure on the strap 12, which tends to straighten out the strap, and creates an uplifting action at the hook end of the strap. It will be noted that this arrangement makes a substantial portion of the toenail the fulcrum for the leverage of the strap, in lifting the edge of the toenail, which is an important feature of the invention. This relievesthe pressure on the edge of the nail and in time corrects the ingrowing condition.

In order that the straight end of the strap 12 may be free to move longitudinally, as well as vertically, with respect to the nail, I purpose the use of a thin nonadhesive pad 14, between the upper face of the strap 12 and the adhesive tape 13. This permits the strap 12 to slide on the upper surface of the toenail, when excessive pressure is exerted on the top of the strap 12, or when the flesh of the toe is expanded outwardly, by the weight of the wearers body, while on his feet.

Inasmuch as toenails of different people vary in thickness, length, and width, I propose to tailor the corrective device for each individual case, however, the method of application will be the same in each instance.

It is believed that the operation of the device is obvious from the foregoing description.

Having described my invention what I claim, and dea longitudinally arched length of comparatively thin, noncorrosive metal, having a downwardly directed hook at-' tached, for insertion under the edge of the toenail, said strap of metal being arranged to override a substantial portion of the width of the toenail, there being a channellike nylon member, positioned under said hook, and being arranged to serve as a guide for the forward growth of the nail.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

